Cutting carbon: news

Shell Cansolv

Shell Cansolv has commenced the testing of its advanced CO2 capture process at Norway’s CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM), the world’s largest carbon capture test facility. Carbon capture and storage could be a critical decarbonisation technology for power and industrial applications, and essential for addressing climate change.

The testing will take place at TCM’s amine test facility, confirming Shell Cansolv’s processes and emission controls using exhaust gas from the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant at Mongstad. The test phase will reinforce the CANSOLV CO2 Capture technology, and validate its readiness for deployment at industrial scale projects.

Tim Bertels, Manager, Shell’s Global CCS Portfolio said, “Shell Cansolv maintains a strong research and development programme, continuously improving both process and absorbents so we can provide the most advanced CO2 capture solution. This test campaign at TCM will verify our cutting edge technology and assure its effectiveness for future applications. TCM has already proven to be an excellent test platform for different companies and technologies, and we are excited to utilise TCM for advancing Shell Cansolv’s newest technology as well.”

Erik Harding Hansen, MD CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad said, “TCM has been playing a vital role in the development of CCS technologies since 2012, helping companies like Aker and Alstom, to test and reduce the costs and the risk of scale up carbon capture. Shell is a key participant in a number of CCS projects around the world and we’re pleased to be playing our part in the technology’s development."

UK government

Companies developing cutting edge low carbon energy projects in generation, efficiency and storage, such as capturing carbon emissions or turning building into power stations, have the chance to bid for an extra £5 million of funding in the fourth round of the government’s Energy Entrepreneurs’ Fund (EEF). Also 19 projects have been awarded shares in the £9 million available through the third phase of the fund. They include renewable generation technologies, efficient engines and vehicles, energy management and storage solutions.

The extra funding comes on top of £35 million already awarded to innovation projects through the previous phases of the EEF, which helps small and medium sized businesses, including startups, bring a range of new and innovative low carbon products to market. Half of the new money in the latest round will be prioritised for CCS, the process of capturing millions of t of CO2 from power stations and industrial facilities, and storing the CO2 offshore, deep under the sea bed. The UK is leading Europe with two commercial scale projects under development. Without CCS, decarbonising the energy system will be up to £40 billion more expensive per year.

Amber Rudd, Energy and Climate Change Minister said, “as the nation that is leading the way in tackling climate change, it is important that we support small and medium sized businesses get their innovative energy projects off the ground.

“We will see the benefits in terms of increased energy security and affordable, low carbon electricity, Carbon Capture and Storage for example could be one of the most cost effective ways to decarbonise our future energy system.”